DS 4 – avant-garde and technology from Germany
Who would have thought that a DS would ever roll off the production lines at Opel's main plant? Rüsselsheim is Opel and only Saab fans are now experiencing a gentle déjà vu. Yes, right, Saab should be built twice in the Hessian factory. The first 9-5 NG were actually Rüsselsheimer and the (never produced) Saab compact class would have had the Opel headquarters as the place of manufacture. Now the DS 4 is "Made in Germany", or "Made by Opel". What DS sees as an advantage and aggressively advertises the place of manufacture, especially in Germany.
Does the German seal of quality matter, or is it irrelevant in a globalized world where the product comes from? Or are buyers of the brand from Paris possibly allergic to the German place of birth?
Maybe none of that matters. Because one of the most interesting offers in the compact class is definitely the DS 4, it brings variety to the segment.
High quality standards of the Paris car brand
In any case, it makes sense to produce the DS 4 in the same plant as the technically related Opel Astra. Rüsselsheim is better utilized and the (still) relatively small DS numbers also pay off in the compact class. That the DS isn't an Opel, even though both are based on the EMP platform, is an important part of the story. The French have packed so much fine sophistication and innovation into each DS that the suspicion that the DS is an Astra with a different look should not even arise.
The Rüsselsheim plant was upgraded for production in Germany. It takes 25 hours for a new DS to roll off the assembly line. The manufacturer from Paris does everything to ensure that the quality standards are met. A DS team prepared the production together with Opel employees, using the latest technology to ensure consistent quality.
The paint shop received an additional control system that Stellantis calls “Eagle-Eye”. The digital "eagle eye" keeps an eye on the quality of the paintwork, the key figures for the DS 4 are set particularly meticulously. A new test track for the first few meters of each DS called “Squeak & Rattle” ensures nothing squeaks and rattles. The track consists of challenging surfaces, chicanes and acceleration sections.
DS is serious about its claim to be a premium manufacturer. In addition to special materials found in the DS 4 that are exceptional in the vehicle class, there are a number of exclusive technical features.
DS Active Scan Suspension
The DS Active Scan Suspension is something like the continuation of the intelligent chassis philosophy from Citroën and DS in the digital age. The active suspension proactively processes data provided by a camera together with four inclination and acceleration sensors and controls each wheel in real time to guarantee optimal road holding.
As a result, the driving behavior should be both comfort-oriented and dynamic. In the compact class, the system is definitely something special.
There are additional features that are only reserved for the DS as the technological spearhead in the Stellantis Group. The fully retractable and automatically extending door handles are part of this, as is a touchpad on the center console, which should allow intuitive operation without taking your eyes off the road.
Most beautiful car 2022
The DS 4 is the most important model after the DS 7 for the Citroën Nobel offshoot. Visually successful and definitely an enrichment for the mobile world, entry is not cheap. The quality and attention to detail found inside the DS 4 comes at a price.
Not them electrified base starts at €32.100,00, the hybrid models cost at least €39.800,00, and the DS 4 should be fully electric from 2024. That a DS 4 will roll out of the dealership at this price is hardly to be expected. The surcharge list gives a lot and allows, with some pleasure, to book noble extras in the five-digit range.
As always, beauty comes at a price. And that the DS 4 is beautiful, that was confirmed by the jury of the "Festival Automobile International" which awarded the DS 4 to the most beautiful car of the year 2022 chose. In addition to the Ferrari Daytona SP3, as a supercar in 2002 and the Peugeot 9X8 as the most beautiful hypercar in 2022.
With media material from DS Automobile
The compact class is difficult terrain. I think the interior is particularly well done, one could argue about the exterior design. But the small DS is a real alternative to the mainstream, and there aren't that many of the alternatives anymore.
Logistically, I find it exciting to build different vehicles on one line. But maybe it's not that difficult today if the software manages it.
In terms of design, I find the car unfortunately arbitrary, I always imagine whether I would recognize it without the brand logo....
I've seen the DS 4 out in the wild a few times now, and it catches the eye. I like the design, it comes very well in reality. The question, of course, is whether one would immediately identify them as DS without a logo. Probably not, the brand is not yet present enough.
One of the most beautiful cars in the compact class, that's all I can say.
Yeah, it's funny how the automotive world works these days.
A few years ago I swore to myself that I would NEVER buy (more) an Opel*** or something from Rüsselsheim, Detriot & Co. in my life.
... and now they (or others) are building the beautiful "luxury Citroëns" there.
***) ... after what GM has done with Saab and Opel (and others).
I understand, it can get tight with the oaths. 😉